Catena Zapata Catena Alta Malbec 2018

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Catena Zapata
Catena Alta Malbec 2018

Vintage : 2018
Country : Argentina
Region : Mendoza
Subregion
Type : Red
Style Deep Full Bodied
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 14°
Grappes : 100% Malbec

Ripe berry fruits with layers of cinnamon and spice. This is a world class Malbec.

Experts		Score	Vintage
RP	Robert Parker	93	2018
WS	Wine Spectator	91	2018
W&S	Wines & Spirits	90	2017
JS	James Suckling	92	2016
JD	Jeb Dunnuck	92	2016
WE	Wine Enthusiast	90	2015
VN	Vinous (Antonio Galloni)	91+	2014
JR	Jancis Robinson	17.5	2014
DCT	Decanter	90	2014

More information on wine critics and ratings

Description
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Reviews
From the same producer

The grape variety used to make this wine is Malbec. It makes big, rich, dark wines. The flavours and aromas are plums, dark chocolate and blackberries with some spice and pepper as well.

Nicola Catena planted his first Malbec vineyards in Mendoza in 1902. Malbec had been a blending grape in Bordeaux, but Nicola suspected it would find its hidden splendor in the Argentine Andes. Fast forward sixty years and Nicola’s grandson Nicolas took the reigns of the family firm. Since the mid-1960s, Nicolas has spent his career building Catena in to one of the world’s best wineries, emulating what his mentor Robert Mondavi achieved in California. Nicolas was a pioneer of… Read more

Robert Parker (RP) : 93 Points (2018)

The 2018 Catena Alta Malbec shows more evolution and ripeness than the 2019. It's varietal and floral with a mixture of red and black fruit, sweet spices and aromatic herbs. It has moderate ripeness—in fact, it's a little lower in alcohol than the 2019—a medium body and fine-grained tannins, with good grip. 162,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2019.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 91 Points (2018)

Well-structured and juicy, with dark cherry and plum tart flavors that feature firm tannins and acidity. The spicy finish offers baker's chocolate notes and peppery hints.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 90 Points (2017)

Alta is a blend from old-vine parcels in six of Catena’s estate vineyards, some in Luyán de Cuyo and others from higher altitudes, in the Uco Valley. The 2017 captures the intensity of that fruit in its dark, jammy core, surrounded by brighter, floral flavors of strawberry and hibiscus. It’s hearty but not heavy, a balanced and versatile malbec.

James Suckling (JS) : 92 Points (2016)

Plenty of cocoa powder as well as violets follow through to some serious tannins that are already well integrated. They and the crisp acidity give the dry finish some assertive power.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 92 Points (2016)

Made from 100% Malbec from a number of vineyards (Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia and Adrianna) fermented and aged in 70% new barrels, the 2016 Malbec Historic Rows is an incredibly elegant, seamless wine that has an almost Burgundian style in its mulberry, blueberries, incense, forest floor, and spring flower-laced aromas and flavors. Beautiful on the palate as well, with medium to full body, supple tannins, and terrific balance, this is one of those wines that grows on you with time in the glass and shines on all accounts. Drink it any time over the coming decade or more.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 90 Points (2015)

Woodsy aromas of black fruit and gingerbread create a friendly nose that lacks exactness. This is bulky on the palate, with dense berry flavors that are foresty, minty and oaky. Spice and chocolate mint flavors blend with lightly herbal berry notes on the finish.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 91+ Points (2014)

July 2017 - Deep ruby-red. Pungent scents of blackberry, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate are complemented by a candied berry note. Fine-grained and firm, with nicely integrated acidity energizes the wine's middle palate. This classy Malbec's intense dark fruit flavors are deep and rich but not at all ponderous. Dusty tannins spread out to saturate the palate on the persistent, gripping finish. Incidentally, winemaker Alejandro Vigil told me that he prefers Malbec over Cabernet Sauvignon in 2014 but Cabernet in the "more Bordelais" 2015 vintage. -- Stephen Tanzer

Jancis Robinson (JR) : 17.5 Points (2014)

Tasted April 2017 - Deep crimson. Quite a bit of sweet oak spice on the nose and a hint of chocolate, also dark-fruited and smoky/savoury, with no unwanted sweetness to the fruit. More savoury and dark-fruited on the palate with terrific freshness. The tannins are already super-smooth but that bite of freshness adds energy and length. Very elegant indeed.

Decanter (DCT) : 90 Points (2014)

Deep purple with slightly restrained blueberry, cherry and raspberry aromas. Concentrated, yet elegant with chalky tannins, refreshing acidity and good length.

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